About GEM
Girls E-Mentorship (GEM) was designed by girls for girls. Our mission is to advance gender equity and women's economic well-being by providing personalized career mentorship and hands-on learning to female high school students navigating barriers to education and employment. Through mentorship, GEM supports young women to envision their full potential and take effective action toward their goals. Over 1000 mentees have graduated from our mentorship program since 2014.
The Mentorship Program
Our core mentorship program runs concurrently with the nine-month school year, delivered by our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners. GEM mentees are individually matched with a female career mentor, meeting (virtually or in-person) on a monthly basis. Through one-to-one mentorship and hands-on learning experiences, mentees develop skills for success and are supported with scholarships and employment opportunities via our partner network. After completing the program, mentees remain connected through the GEM Alumni Network, with ongoing access to mentorship, career guidance and opportunities.
Mentorship Matters
GEM Mentorship makes a difference in women's lives. Our mentees consistently report increased confidence, equipped with knowledge and skills that make them future-ready. Our mentors highlight the transformative relationships and insights they gain from the experience. At GEM, we are an intergenerational community of women committed to supporting one another through mutual-learning.
Ready to start your mentorship journey?
Becoming a GEM Mentor: Timeline and Process
1. Submit Expression of Interest Form
We kindly request that all prospective mentors complete this Expression of Interest (EOI) form to share your educational background, professional experiences, areas of expertise, and motivations for becoming a GEM mentor. EOIs are reviewed on an ongoing basis, assessed for alignment with our program goals and mentor criteria. We encourage applications from prospective mentors with at least five years of professional experience.
2. Virtual Interview
Selected mentor candidates are invited to complete a short virtual interview focused on your experiences, attitudes and expectations.
3. Acceptance
Selected candidates receive a notice of acceptance detailing next steps. All mentors are required to sign a Mentor Waiver (included at the end of this EOI form) and provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Check from their local police unit, issued no earlier than 2023.
4. Matching
Upon acceptance, all mentors are invited to submit a short matching questionnaire, allowing us to optimize your mentee match based on multiple criteria such as shared identity and experiences, mutual interests, location, and education/career alignment. Matching occurs during July and August. All mentees and mentors will be notified of their match in late summer/early fall.